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City, ND (VCSUVikings.com)- The Valley City State men’s basketball team never trailed Saturday as the Vikings moved back above .500 with a 65-53 victory over the University of Winnipeg.

The Vikings built a commanding 42-25 halftime lead and held off the Wesmen in the second half for their third win of the year. VCSU improves to 3-2 overall this season.

Jayden Ferguson led the way with 24 points and eight rebounds – including a 10-for-10 night at the free throw line. Austin Dunbar just missed a double-double with 12 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. Rashad Satahoo added 11 points, and both Ellwood Ellenson and Alex Quist finished with seven.

VCSU shot 42 percent in the first half and went 11-for-14 at the free throw line to build a 42-25 lead. The Viking offense went stagnant to start the second half – scoring just five points in the first 10 minutes – as Winnipeg fought back to within three points at 47-44. Ferguson stopped the Winnipeg run with a 3-pointer and scored seven straight points to fuel a 12-0 run by the Vikings that made it 59-44 and put the game out of reach.

The Vikings finished at 38 percent shooting overall (21-55), 36 percent from 3-point range (4-11), and 83 percent at the line (19-23). Winnipeg shot 38 percent overall (22-58), 19 percent on 3’s (5-26) and 44 percent at the line (4-9).

Valley City State edged Winnipeg on the glass, 35-34, which included a 10-8 advantage on offensive rebounds. VCSU finished with five assists, three blocks, five steals and 17 turnovers. Winnipeg had 10 assists, one block, seven steals and 18 turnovers.

Billy Yaworsky led the Wesmen with 14 points off the bench. Winnipeg entered the weekend with a 6-0 record in its preseason before losing both Friday night at MSU-Moorhead and Saturday at VCSU.

Up next: VCSU (3-2) hits the road next weekend for the first time this season. The Vikings will play games Friday night at Dordt College and Saturday at Northwestern College.